Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
LANCASTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY-CITY BUILDING
FOURTH FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1997
8:30 A.M.
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 25, 1997
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:30am UPDATE ON PENSION PLAN
Diane Fite, PEBSCO Pension Consultant
4 9:15am USE OF KEYFILE FOR SCANNING VOTER REGISTRATION RECORDS
Patty Hansen, Election Commissioner
5 9:30am LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant
6 10:00am PENDING LITIGATION
Mike Thew, Chief Deputy County Attorney;
Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorney
7 10:15am STREET VACATION NO. 97014, CAPITOL PARKWAY, ADJACENT TO
PIONEER HEIGHTS, NEAR S. 84TH STREET & MANDARIN CIRCLE
(IN 3-MILE LIMIT)
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department
8 ACTION ITEMS
a. Consideration of Request from St. Monica's for $2,037
Grant for Alcohol Treatment
b. Approval of Microcomputer/Technology Requests for
FY98:
1. C#97258 from the County Assessor for $35,589.55
for ArcView, Microsoft Window/Works and SunSparc
Upgrades and Laser Printer
2. C#97259 from the County Attorney for $7,822.10
for 6 Compaq Deskpros, 2 Viewsonic Monitors and
a Laser Printer
3. C#97261 from the County Clerk for $2,527.06 for
a Compaq Deskpro, Monitor, Drive and 8 Netscapes
9 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Microcomputer Request C#97256 from the County
Engineer for $2,800 from County Engineer's Budget
for Pentium Computer and Laptop
10 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Director Evaluations
b. Joint Meeting with Douglas County Commissioners and
Senators
c. Correspondence from Hickman Mayor Dennis Heckman
Regarding Overpass on 68th Street
11 PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in
Princeton
b. South Street Campus
12 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Tussing
b. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
c. Public Building Commission - Campbell, Hudkins
d. GA Monitoring Committee - Campbell, Tussing
e. Board of Health - Hudkins
f. Community Mental Health Center Advisory Board -
Svoboda
13 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday,
October 2, 1997, at 1:15 p.m., at the County-City
Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room - Hudkins
b. Joint Budget Committee - Friday, October 3, 1997,
at 8:00 a.m., at the County-City Building, Mayor's
Conference Room - Campbell, Steinman
c. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tuesday, October
7, 1997, at 7:00 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Fourth Floor Conference Room - Tussing
d. District Energy Corporation - Tuesday, October 7,
1997, at 11:30 a.m., at Lincoln Electric System's
Boardroom - Hudkins, Svoboda
e. Management Team - Thursday, October 9, 1997, at
7:30 a.m., at the County-City Building, Fourth Floor
Conference Room - All Commissioners
f. Luncheon with Lancaster County Senators - Thursday,
October 9, 1997, at 12 noon, at the Cornhusker Hotel,
Heartland Room (connected to The Renaissance) - All
Commissioners
14 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Younkers/Food Bank/Matt Talbot Kitchen Charity Night
- Sunday, October 5, 1997, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.,
at Younkers, Gateway Mall
b. Antelope Valley Study Town Hall II - Friday,
November 7, 1997, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m, at Lincoln
High School and Saturday, November 8, 1997, from
8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Lincoln High School
c. LAP Annual Meeting - Monday, November 12, 1997,
from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Cornhusker
Hotel
15 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
16 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
17 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 1997
18 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
LANCASTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY-CITY BUILDING
FOURTH FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1997
8:30 A.M.
Commissioners Present: Kathy Campbell, Vice Chair
Larry Hudkins
Steve Svoboda
Darlene Tussing
Commissioners Absent: Linda Steinman, Chair
Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer
Ann Taylor, County Clerk's Office
Campbell noted that Linda Steinman, Chair, was absent due to celebration
of the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah.
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 25, 1997
Campbell stated that consideration of approval of the meeting minutes
of September 25th would be at the Thursday, October 9th County Board
meeting.
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
a. Request for a Temporary Employee from the Clerk of the
District Court
b. Request to Locate Two Semi-Trailers at Trabert Hall from
the Lincoln Action Program (LAP)
c. Request for Imaging Software from the Public Defender (Action
Items)
d. Dust Problem on SW 23rd Street
e. Region V (Board Member Meetings)
f. 911/Communication Center
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded approval. On call Hudkins,
Svoboda, Tussing and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried.
3 UPDATE ON PENSION PLAN - Diane Fite, Public Employees
Benefit Services Corporation (PEBSCO) Pension Consultant, Pete
Daiker, Public Employees Benefit Services Corporation (PEBSCO)
Pete Daiker, Public Employees Benefit Services Corporation (PEBSCO),
reviewed the mission statement for PEBSCO, noting that the company was
established for the specific purpose of meeting the financial and
retirement needs of public employees (Exhibit A).
Campbell requested that Daiker provide information regarding PEBSCO's
post-employment health plan to the Personnel Department.
Diane Fite, PEBSCO Pension Consultant, reported that she administers the
qualified plan for Lancaster County.
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, inquired about dormant retirement
accounts.
Fite reported that PEBSCO was working on those accounts and would be
returning money to the County that could be used to reduce contributions.
Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, reported that a representative
of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
(AFSCME), had requested that the County increase the number of funds
available.
Daiker stated that more options should be possible by January 1, 1998.
He also noted that there were only two transfers remaining on accounts
with John Hancock Insurance.
Hudkins inquired whether the accounts with Ameritas would eventually be
eliminated.
Daiker stated no, that the Ameritas accounts were a contract issue.
Brief discussion followed on availability of retirement account infor-
mation on the Internet, with Fite stating that PEBSCO would make good on
any harm or loss caused by Internet accessibility to accounts.
At Hudkins' request, Daiker briefly reported on PEBSCO's post-employment
health plan.
Kroeker inquired whether accrued vacation and sick leave time could be
transferred into the plan.
Daiker stated yes, that those benefits could be used to fund the plan.
4 USE OF KEYFILE FOR SCANNING VOTER REGISTRATION RECORDS - Patty
Hansen, Election Commissioner
Patty Hansen, Election Commissioner, requested approval of use of the
Keyfile document management system for scanning of voter registration
records at a cost of $7,800. She reported that implementation would
save the County approximately $12,480 in temporary personnel costs.
Hansen noted that since the Statutes require that the permanent
registration records remain in the Election Commissioner's office, the
scanning would be done in-house.
Hansen also indicated that there would be no impact to the Election
Commissioner's budget, due to savings realized from the merging of
precincts.
In response to a question from Eagan, Hansen stated that dedicated
Keyfile licenses were required.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded approval of Keyfile for
voter registration records from the Election Commissioner's
budget, with consideration of any additional funds necessary for
the Election Commissioner's budget at the end of the year. On
call Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins and Campbell voted aye. Motion
carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
a. Request for a Temporary Employee from the Clerk of the
District Court
Eagan reported that the request was not included in the Clerk of the
District Court's budget, but was related to the temporary move of the
department and the absence of an employee on maternity leave.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded approval of the request for
a temporary employee from the Clerk of the District Court's
budget. On call Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda and Campbell voted
aye. Motion carried.
b. Request to Locate Two Semi-Trailers at Trabert Hall from the
Lincoln Action Program (LAP)
Eagan reported that the semi-trailers would be used to collect Christmas
gifts donated to the Lincoln Action Program (LAP).
Hudkins suggested that Don Killeen, Property Manager, be consulted
regarding the availability of parking lot area for location of the semi-
trailers.
The Board concurred with Hudkins' suggestion and requested that Eagan
report Killeen's comments back to the Board.
5 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA - Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant
Campbell reported that a luncheon to discuss legislative issues with the
Lancaster County State Senators is scheduled for October 9th.
Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant, distributed and reviewed a list
of priority legislative issues for the 1997-98 legislative session and
interim hearings of interest to the Board that he will be monitoring on
their behalf (Exhibit B).
Kissel reported that gun control and partial birth abortions will be
priority issues for the legislature this session.
Brief discussion followed with the Board requesting that the Legislature
also address the following issues:
a. Indigent Burial/Cremation
b. Road Vacations
c. Exempt Political Subdivisions from the $15.00 Fee for Modification
of Divorce Decrees (LB 729)
Campbell inquired whether a review of LB 271, which replaces property
taxes on motor vehicles with a uniform fee schedule, was planned.
Kissel stated that the Legislature tentatively plans to address concerns
that the bill language was not clear enough.
Brief discussion followed on issues scheduled for discussion at the
upcoming Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) convention, with
a request from the Board that Kissel attend the legislative meeting.
In response to a question from Hudkins, Kissel stated that the
Legislature may seek to revise the appropriation portion of LB 485, which
transfers the cost of maintenance and care of individuals found
incompetent to stand trial from the County to the State.
The Board requested that Kroeker's figures on the impact of LB 485 be
attached to the priority list and that he update the cost figures for LB
512, which shifts certain expenses regarding court-ordered juvenile
placement and transportation from the counties to the State, as well.
Eagan stated that he would write a summary of legislative priorities for
the Lancaster County Senators.
The Board requested that Kissel provide periodic legislative updates to
the Board and invited him to attend the Management Team Retreat on
November 6th.
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
d. Dust Problem on SW 23rd Street
Campbell reported that the Health Department had expressed concern that
the dust problem on SW 23rd Street, caused by traffic diverted by
construction work on Coddington Avenue and Van Dorn Boulevard, was
becoming a health hazzard to residents of the Green Acres subdivision.
Board consensus to have Campbell and Steinman meet with representatives
of the Health Department, County Attorney, County Engineer, County
Sheriff and Public Works Department to seek solutions to the problem
and report back to the Board.
f. 911/Communication Center
Hudkins reported that a meeting was held to discuss a proposal from Tom
Casady, Lincoln Police Chief, that he assume directorship of the 911/
Communication Center. He reported that 87% of the calls received by
the Communication Center each year are police related and Cassidy felt
the Police Department was better equipped to manage the center.
Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner was opposed to Casady's proposal,
noting concern regarding the priority level assigned to Sheriff's
Department calls.
Hudkins stated that a suggestion was made that a paging system might
handle distribution of non-emergency police department calls move
effectively.
Hudkins reported that, following discussion, Mayor Johanns requested that
Julie Righter, Interim Director, be named Director, with review in four
months. He also requested that the Advisory/User Board be reimplemented,
with a representative of Mutual Aid serving as a non-voting member.
6 PENDING LITIGATION - Mike Thew, Chief Deputy County Attorney;
Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorney
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded to enter Executive Session
at 11:07 a.m. for the purpose of pending litigation. On call
Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded to exit Executive Session at
11:16 a.m. On call Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins and Campbell voted
aye. Motion carried.
7 STREET VACATION NUMBER 97014, CAPITOL PARKWAY, ADJACENT TO
PIONEER HEIGHTS, NEAR SOUTH 84TH STREET AND MANDARIN CIRCLE (IN
THREE-MILE LIMIT) - Mike DeKalb, Planning Department
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department, distributed a Planning Staff report
with regards to Street Vacation No. 97014 (Exhibit C), noting that the
street proposed to be vacated is located within the 3 mile zoning
jurisdiction. He stated that if annexation of the area, currently
pending before the City Council, is not approved, then both the City
Council and County Board must approve the street vacation.
DeKalb distributed a revised site plan for Blue Spruce Estates (Exhibit
D), noting that the developer had adjusted the lot lines, as the Board
requested, to increase the size of Lots 1 & 5 and thereby reducing the
size of Lot 6.
DeKalb also reported briefly on County Change of Zone No. 179 for
Agricultural Residential designation to allow subdivision of the property
for acreages (Exhibit E).
In response to a question from Campbell, DeKalb stated that Timberline
Estates, which is comprised of 160 acres north of the area of application,
has filed as a subdivision and is currently undergoing City review. He
noted that both City Council and County Board approval will be required,
due to its split jurisdiction.
DeKalb noted that if the area of application is approved as Agricultural
Residential (AGR), it will be covered by County Special Permit
restrictions, due to its close proximity to the Yankee Hill Lake.
In response to a question from Campbell, DeKalb stated that Village of
Denton has not voiced opposed the request.
Campbell requested that DeKalb provide updated Comprehensive Plan color-
coded maps to the Board.
8 ACTION ITEMS
a. Consideration of Request from St. Monica's for a Grant for
$2,037 for Alcohol Treatment
Campbell reported that a balance of $2,037 remained in County over match
monies traditionally allocated to drug/alcohol programs. She stated that
Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator, recommended that these funds be
awarded to St. Monica's for funding of a study on the value of case
management services.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded approval of the grant request.
On call Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda and Campbell voted aye.
Motion carried.
b. Approval of Microcomputer/Technology Requests for fiscal year
1998:
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, noted that the Board had approved
several microcomputer requests at the July 17th & 24th County Board
meetings, although this was not reflected in the meeting minutes (List
included in the Board Information Packet).
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded approval of the items listed
in the boxed-in area of the list of FY98 Microcomputer Requests
attached to the meeting agenda. On call Svoboda, Tussing, Hudkins
and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried.
1. C#97258 from the County Assessor for $35,589.55 for ArcView,
Microsoft Window/Works and SunSparc upgrades and laser printer
Kroeker reported that Items 1-5 of the County Assessor's request were
already approved.
Eagan reported that Items 1-8 were being priced, and that an adjustment
to the amount was needed, due to double pricing of Options A & B. He
recommended that the Board approve Option A and divide funding of Items
1-8 between the Microcomputer Fund and the Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) budget.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded approval of Items 1-8, including
Option A, with funding to be divided between the Microcomputer
Fund and the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) budget. On
call Hudkins, Svoboda, Tussing and Campbell voted aye. Motion
carried.
2. C#97259 from the County Attorney for $7,822.10 for six Compaq
Deskpros, two Viewsonic monitors and a laser printer
Eagan reported that the County Attorney's original request had increased
to include computers for a new staff attorney and Trabert Hall.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded approval of the request.
On call Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins and Campbell voted aye. Motion
carried.
3. C#97261 from the County Clerk for $2,527.06 for a Compaq
Deskpro, monitor, drive and eight Netscapes
The Board requested additional information on the need for the eight
Netscape licenses.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded approval of the computer
request, minus the eight Netscape licenses. On call Svoboda,
Tussing, Hudkins and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried.
4. Request for Imaging Software from the Public Defender
Eagan reported that the estimated total cost of the software, windows
upgrade, memory upgrade and scanning labor from Information Services is
less than $1,000.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded approval of the conversion for
the Public Defender's office, with centralization of the
scanning through Records & Information Services. On call
Hudkins, Svoboda, Tussing and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried.
9 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Microcomputer request C#97256 from the County Engineer for
$2,800 from County Engineer's budget for Pentium computer and
laptop
Eagan reported that the request was for use in the field and not
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) related.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded approval. On call Svoboda,
Hudkins, Tussing and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried.
10 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Director Evaluations
Board consensus to conduct one director evaluation at each Thursday
County Board meeting until completed.
b. Joint meeting with Douglas County Commissioners and Senators
Brief discussion took place on the request from the Douglas County
Commissioners for a joint planning session to discuss legislative
issues, with consensus to suggest that the meeting be scheduled for
either November 13th or 18th.
The Board also suggested that the Lancaster, Douglas and Sarpy County
Boards meet jointly with their respective senate delegations early in
the legislative session to discuss priorities.
c. Correspondence from Hickman Mayor, Dennis Heckman, regarding
overpass on 68th Street
Board consensus to refer the letter to the County Engineer and request a
response.
The Board also requested Eagan to notify Hickman Mayor Heckman of the
Board's action.
11 PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in Princeton
b. South Street Campus
12 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Tussing
Tussing reported that the Board of Health had requested Lancaster Manor
to bill the federal government the higher Medicare rate, under the
Nebraska Long-Term Care Managed Project, and refund the excess to the
State after deducting their administration costs.
Discussion followed regarding the ethics and legality of request, with
Hudkins requesting a County Attorney opinion.
b. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, reported that an additional
furniture request has not been received from the Public Defender's
office and that some departments may be requesting replacement of
useable office furniture and chairs.
Following a brief discussion, Board consensus to require that all
departments submit their furniture requests to the Steering Committee by
October 3rd, and not be permitted to order furniture without Steering
Committee approval.
Hudkins reported that discussion focused on deletions to the contract,
with further review of ceiling panel selection and installation of an air
quality monitoring system requested.
In response to a question from Campbell, Hudkins reported that bids for
construction of the new County/City Building were on target with the
$12,000,000 estimate.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded to authorize Dave Kroeker,
Budget & Fiscal Officer, to sign-off on the final systems and
non-systems furniture purchases for the County offices and
authorize payment, in consultation with a member of the Board, if
sufficient time exists. On call Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda and
Campbell voted aye. Motion carried.
c. Public Building Commission - Campbell, Hudkins
Hudkins reported that construction bids were accepted and ratified.
Hudkins also reported that porcelain tile was selected for the first
floor of the Law Enforcement/Hall of Justice Building.
d. General Assistance Monitoring Committee - Campbell, Tussing
Campbell reported that a report from Information Services with regards to
State input of past files, the Employment First Program and problems
related to the Health Department's check list of statements and criteria
for individuals admitted into the Primary Health Care Clinic were
discussed.
Campbell also reported that Lincoln Action Program had received a grant
to subsidize needy families' energy costs up to $200, with further study
of each family's energy usage.
Campbell noted that Kroeker had questioned whether, with the sale of
Lincoln General Hospital, Medical Foundation Funds could be used to fund
medically indigent costs. She suggested that further discussion of the
issue take place with the City Council as sale of the hospital proceeds.
Campbell also reported that the Burial Subcommittee met briefly and
agreed to include a $100 payment for transportation by a non-provider
mortuary in the Burial Plan.
e. Board of Health - Hudkins
Hudkins reported that the national ad for a new Director was discussed,
with a cut-off date of December 15th set.
Hudkins also reported that Mayor Johanns had requested that the Board of
Health submit a list of candidates for their Board vacancy.
f. Community Mental Health Center Advisory Board - Svoboda
Svoboda reported that the annual Strategic Planning Day is scheduled for
October 22nd to discuss focus groups' findings.
g. Region V - Tussing
Tussing reported that a method of tracking State dollars was discussed
so a determination could be made on whether County dollars could be used
to supplement non-authorized outpatients or to fund additional counseling
sessions for individuals in client assisted programs.
13 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, October 2, 1997,
at 1:15 p.m. at the County-City Building, Fourth Floor
Conference Room - Hudkins
b. Joint Budget Committee - Friday, October 3, 1997 at 8 a.m. at
the County-City Building, Mayor's Conference Room - Campbell,
Steinman
c. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tuesday, October 7, 1997 at
7 a.m. at the County-City Building, Fourth Floor Conference
Room - Tussing
d. District Energy Corporation - Tuesday, October 7, 1997 at
11:30 a.m. at Lincoln Electric System's Boardroom - Hudkins,
Svoboda
e. Management Team - Thursday, October 9, 1997, at 7:30 a.m., at
the County-City Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room - All
Commissioners
f. Luncheon with Lancaster County Senators - Thursday, October 9,
1997, at 12 p.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Heartland Room -
All Commissioners
Board consensus to cancel the Management Team meeting scheduled for
October 9th.
14 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Younkers/Food Bank/Matt Talbot Kitchen Charity Night -
Sunday, October 5, 1997, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Younkers,
Gateway Mall
b. Antelope Valley Study Town Hall II - Friday, November 7, 1997,
from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Lincoln High School and Saturday,
November 8, 1997, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Lincoln High
School
c. Lincoln Action Program Annual Meeting - Monday, November 12,
1997, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel
15 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
Campbell requested that the Personnel Department be scheduled for a
Thursday County Board Meeting to discuss Kassandra Hill's suggestion of a
County Employee Recognition Day in the Letter to the Editor section of
the County newsletter. She also suggested that Personnel contact Ms.
Hill, prior to their meeting with the Board, for her suggestions.
Campbell also reported on a letter received from Lincoln pharmacists in
regards to the limited pharmacy options available to County employees
under the Mutual of Omaha Health Plan. Board consensus to refer the
letter to the Personnel Department and to have Campbell and Eagan respond
to the letter.
16 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
17 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 1997
18 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
By direction of the Vice-Chair, the meeting was adjourned.